**Clarion Hotel in Taunton to End Use as Emergency Shelter by June 30**
**TAUNTON –** The Clarion Hotel in Taunton will no longer serve as a state-run emergency shelter by June 30, according to State Senator Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton) and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).
Senator Dooner stated that this decision is part of a broader effort to phase out the use of hotels as emergency shelters and focus on long-term housing solutions across Massachusetts. The move aligns with Governor Maura Healey’s commitment to ending hotel-based shelters by the end of the year.
### **Background on the Clarion Hotel’s Use as a Shelter**
The Clarion Hotel, located at 700 Myles Standish Blvd., began operating as an emergency shelter on April 7, 2023, under a contract with the state. All 155 rooms were designated for shelter use as part of the state’s Emergency Assistance (EA) housing program, which provides temporary housing for homeless families, including migrants and refugees.
The program was implemented to address Massachusetts’ housing shortage while complying with the state’s right-to-shelter laws. According to EOHLC, more than half of the families housed under the EA program are longtime Massachusetts residents. The hotel received $10.7 million from the state for its participation in fiscal year 2024.
### **Plans for Relocating Families**
EOHLC has stated that NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, the contracted service provider, will work to transition families into stable housing before the June 30 deadline. Families unable to secure permanent housing will be relocated to other shelter sites.
Taunton City Councilor Barry Sanders, a strong advocate for affordable housing, expressed optimism about the plan, emphasizing the importance of ensuring families find stable housing. However, he acknowledged the challenges involved, stating, “If it were easy, we would have done it by now.”
### **Future of the Clarion Hotel**
A representative for the Clarion Hotel declined to comment on its involvement with the state’s shelter program or its future operations. The hotel’s contract with the state prohibits direct responses to media inquiries regarding the program.
### **Local Officials Welcome the Closure**
Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell previously voiced concerns about the state’s decision to use the city’s only hotel as an emergency shelter, citing the strain on local resources. The city fined the hotel $1,000 per day from May 26 to September 18, 2023, for exceeding occupancy limits, totaling $114,600.
In a statement, O’Connell said, “Utilizing our only hotel as an emergency shelter, without our input or agreement, has been challenging for the City of Taunton in many ways. We are pleased that the hotel will be available once again for its intended use as a hotel. The closure of the shelter will ease the additional burden placed on our first responders.”
Senator Dooner also acknowledged the challenges the shelter posed to city resources and thanked local officials and first responders for their efforts in managing the situation. She reaffirmed her commitment to amending Massachusetts’ right-to-shelter law to create a more sustainable approach to emergency housing.
### **Potential for Future Shelter Use**
While the state-run shelter program at the Clarion is ending, Mayor O’Connell has suggested using some of the hotel’s unused rooms as emergency shelter space for Taunton’s homeless residents, particularly during the winter months.
State Representative Carol Doherty, who has been involved in discussions about this proposal, stated that there is no official update on securing state approval and funding for this initiative, but efforts are ongoing.
The closure of the Clarion Hotel as a state-run shelter marks a shift in Massachusetts’ approach to emergency housing, with a renewed focus on finding long-term solutions for families in need.
Source: tauntongazette.com